Intermountain SD38-2 Announcement

[Mark5]

Still a long time in coming (we all know how IM releases go) but it is good that someone has recognized that these units should be done in N!!!

Yup!

Actually by 2000 SD40s started to see use as switchers on a lot of hump yards.  The greater horsepower, tied to slug, allowed larger cuts of cars to be handled compared to the SD38 variants.  I have even seen an SD50 that was in use as a switcher at Charlotte, N.C. which was even more of a surprise... though I have not seen this quite as often a SD40s in this use...

On the N&W, when the Alco C630s that were used with Trainmaster slugs in switching service were retired in the mid-1980s, they were replaced with SD40s - some of which served this way for a few decades.

Mark

[u18b]

CSX inherited 5 sd38-2 from ancestor L&N.
what's interesting to me is that they all served together at the yard in Birmingham Al.
Having all 5 together probably aided maintenance a bit.

[bnsfdash8]

Yankeetown Dock, I may just have to get one of those.

[basementcalling]

No family lines?
No seaboard system?
No CSX?

(Scratching head)

I think Atlas has gone exclusive and dried up all the FLS, CSX, SS, modelers money with their recent string of releases.

[chessie system fan]

It's difficult to tell in the drawing, but I'm guessing that's the early chicken wire grill version and not the mid corrugated grill version?  And I'm guessing those different fuel tank sizes are just reused HO drawings.  It'd be cool if they weren't, though.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Does this version look to match the McCloud Railway's #39 (their only SD38-2)?
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=148272

[Rossford Yard]

Yup!

On the N&W, when the Alco C630s that were used with Trainmaster slugs in switching service were retired in the mid-1980s, they were replaced with SD40s - some of which served this way for a few decades.

Mark

And speaking of slugs....another N scale need, although I know there was great variety, probably too much to model with one car body.

[Cajonpassfan]

I'm glad too see more numbers on the UTLX tanks as well as the new release of the NATX tanks too!!!!

Jon

Well, finally a release with a more or less realistic mix of black and grey cars. Not a single bright colored tank car among them! Thank you Intermountain!
Otto K.

[sdodge]

Does this version look to match the McCloud Railway's #39 (their only SD38-2)?
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=148272

Great news! I will hold out for a McCloud River. Too bad the #36, 37 and 38 are SD38's. Probably in the minority but I like the brown scheme.
http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/5/1/4/9514.1129773600.jpg

[GaryHinshaw]

Well, finally a release with a more or less realistic mix of black and grey cars. Not a single bright colored tank car among them! Thank you Intermountain!
Otto K.

Probably a good idea to pre-order these this time, though. 

[drgw0579]

I asked my contact at IM about fuel tanks:

We're doing two fuel tank sizes and different radiators on the SD38-2.  All it takes is a different size fuel tank piece to slip over that spot on the chassis.  Yep, they'll be road specific details right down to two of the SLSF units having dynamics and the other two not having them. 

[cfritschle]

A surprised they didn't run other road names too. Finding plain old BNSF mineral red or UP cars on this body is now expensive on the eBay.

Both were in the December 2016 announcement.  http://intermountain-railway.com/modelersclub/?page_id=1764

Carter

[ryan_wilkerson]

Great news! I will hold out for a McCloud River. Too bad the #36, 37 and 38 are SD38's. Probably in the minority but I like the brown scheme.
http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/5/1/4/9514.1129773600.jpg

I enjoyed a 5 hour cab ride on #38 so I want a model of that one too. I have the M4D long hoods and donor Kato SD40s to do #37 and #38. If IM does an undec SD38-2 or a decorated McCloud unit, I'll have to get it to support the effort!

[unittrain]

Nice to see another locomotive I'm modeling Chessie and Some early PC and Conrail so no need for an SD38-2 there but will pick up a B&LE for a run through unit.

[keeper]

Oh, this is going to be expensive.... three DM&IR units. 
And CNW...

They say 'Available Spring 2018'. What do you think they are really available?
Maybe I have still enough time to finish my SD38-2 before they arrive....

Thomas